March update

I've been a little late updating this blog I know, but here's my latest animation project that you definitely need to watch right now, it's called - Birdsong Gunshots

Check it out here - http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/635027

For once I'm actually very pleased with how this turned out, and although I hope that I will always say this about my most recent project, but I think it's the best one I've done.

I have a list of things, techniques, and principles that I have picked up from animation books, youtube videos and lectures from senior animators that I am trying to self-teach myself, and I got to tick off a heap of them during this animation.

One of these was experimenting with a Stephen Silver concept (lead animator on Kim Possible) of using a combination of smooth curves with straight lines in character design. It seems to give the drawing a little more appeal. Especially with the first bird (pictured) I tried to keep my idea sketches loose and play around with pulling out the shape.

I also managed to use a 'gradient background' for the first time, which is a simple way to make the backgrounds more interesting. And in the footsteps of some of the best old-school animators ie. the nine old men and the reams of classic 50s animations, I animated with a classical soundtrack.

I specifically tried to get all this done on time before Tuesday the 4th of this month, because it was my plan to go down to London and showcase this movie at the London Animation Club, but sadly I made the trip down there and they didn't have the time at the end to show it. But I still managed to take a lot away from the speakers, and I really enjoyed chatting to and networking with other people who are serious about animation.

And I've got a new pc now.